A strategic round table brought together experts around the harmonization of standards governing pharmaceutical products and medical devices in Africa.

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) and the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAf) joined other partners and strategic stakeholders for the effective holding of this round table. The event, which took place on the sidelines of the 2021 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), highlighted the progress made in the harmonization process and the impact that its full implementation will have. on the continental economy in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Issues discussed included national and regional partnerships for industrialization, the potential of the pharmaceutical industry in Africa, health and the continent's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussions highlighted the impact of local manufacturing of vaccines and medicines and on Africa's recovery from the pandemic. At the end, stakeholders reiterated their commitment to complete the harmonization process and invest more in health-focused projects in Africa under the AfCFTA.